Framing clamp



T. H. KANE.

FRAMING CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-31,1921

1A3 Lmn Patented. 00. 10,1922,

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

w o a N T. H. KANE.

FRAMING CLAMP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.3 .1921.

Patented Oct. 110, 1922..

FHUMAS H. AWE, 0F YOUNGSTUFT, UHIU, FIG'NOF' TO THE "FRUSCON STEEL CUM-FANY, 0F YOUNG-S N, OHIU, A CURFQRATION 0F QHJEO.

FRAMING UlrhlllF.

application lflledl January 311, real. aerial Ito. 441349.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, 'lrros. H. NE, a citizen of the United States,residing at oustown, in the county of 'll/lahoning and of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvement in Framing Clamps, of whichthe following is a specification.

' This inventionrelates to an improved; framing clamp for connectingcrossing ele- -ments such as the structural members in a ,combinationand arran ement of fireproof building construction.

A. primary object of the invention is to provide a clamp of a simple andpractical construction capable of being readily used as a securing meansfor clampin together structural parts, and to that en it is intended tobe especially useful as a framing clamp for connecting the metallicstrujc- 7 tural parts in a fireproof building operation, to therebyavoid the use of bolts or rivets and obviating the customary drilling orwelding operations with their consequent expense in time and labor. Itis also the purpose of the invention to provide a clamp of the typereferred to which will connect the assembled parts in a thoroughlypractical and rigid manner and also to provide a clam which ma be easilyand quickly applied by unskilled labor in the operation of holdingtogether such structural parts. as beams, studs, bars and the like. Alsothe invention contemplates a framing clamp which functions veryefiectively in connecting together the vertical frame bars of curtainwalls, with the sill angles in building construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamp whose parts maybe readily assembled and applied and euickly adjusted into the desiredposition or holding the structural parts together.-.

With the above and other objects in view, which will more readily appearasthe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel construction,

v arts hereinafter more full escribed, illustrated and claimed' In theaccompanying drawings v Figure 1 is a side-elevation of one embodimentof the invention applied to crossing structural members.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line an of Figure1..

Figure 3 is an elevation of one side of the body or fulcrum element ofthe clamp shown in' Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan: view of a modified Figure 7 1s a viewillustrating the apclamp. p Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional viewtaken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7 Figure 9-is an end elevation of themembers constituting the framework engaging clip gfsthe type of clampshown in Figures an v Figure 10 is a perspective view of the combinedkey and clamp element used in Figures 7, 8 and 9,

Figure 11 includes side elevations of the 'members of the clip shown inFigure 9.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding. parts throughout theseveral figures of the drawings.

As previously indicated, the present invention primarily contemplates asimple and economical framing clamp for securely holding togethercrossing members at their points of intersection, and !is of specialutility as a clamp for the structural frame plicationof a still furthermodified type of v elements of, fireproof buildings, as shown 5 forexample in my pending application Serial No. 434044 filed December30,1920.

lln carrying forward the general objects of the invention, a clamp isprovided which in all of its embodiments, includescertain essentialelements cooperating to securely bind or connect the crossed parts ormembers to be united and to that end, the clamp preferably includes incombination, a clip element designated generally asA, a clamp-l ingplate 15, and a locking'or tensioning device C which may be quicklyassembledand applied by unskilled workmen and readily adjusted tofinal'posi'tion.

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive,that form of the invention includes a clip element Aof substantiallyIll-shaped formation, having the inturned relatively contractiblehookshaped ends 1 for engaging with the flanges 'of an l-r a or thelike, while the body one end with the offset bearing foot 6, while theedges of the flanges 5 at the opposite end of the plate constitute abearing 6 for 'engaging with the member 3/ disposed at right angles tothe structural member 00. When the clamping plate is assembled inoperation relative to the clip, the said side flanges 5 also cooperatewith the shanks of the hooks 1 to prevent the same from spreading.

The portion of the loop 2 of the clip element extending beyond the outerface of the wall 4 of the plate B receives a suitable wedge orequivalent locking element 7 in such a manner that when the wedge is Ldriven into the loop by a hammer blow, the

force of the latter will have the effect of drawing the loop of the clipthrough the opening or eye 3 and at the same time forcing the ends ofthe flanges 5 of the clamp firmly into engagement with the part 3 Thus,with the hook portions 1 of the clip in the foot 6 working in'oppositionto the bearing end 6 of the clamp-ing plate B, the abutting faces of themembers as and y will be securely bound and clamped together. When thewedge 7 is driven into final position,'the relative resiliency of theparts of the clamp will materially increase the grip of the hooks of theclip on the structural members by compressing the side members of theloop portion 2, thus materially augmenting the rigidity of theconnection.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 6 inclusive,the same essential features are observed. In this embodiment, the clipelement A is preferably .in the form of a bolt having the threads 9while the inner end thereof is provided with the hook portions 10 forengaging with the structural member as, and the said threaded shank ofthe bolt projects through the opening 11 in the wall of the plate 12which constitutes the body B of the clamp to receive the nut 13. Upontightening the nut on the threaded portion of the shank of the bolt, themembers 00 and y will be securely clamped together in the same manner asby the clamp shown in Figures 1 and 2, since the plate 11- has at oneend the bearing foot 14, and at its other end the bearing edges 15.

It will also be observed that inthis form the clamping plate B is ofchannel formation to give the same the desired stiffness while theflanges 12 are provided at their intermediate portions'with the offsetlips 12 which bear against the shanks of the hooks 10 in such a way asto prevent spreading thereof when the clip is placed under tension.

Another modified form of the invention is shown in Figures 7 to 11inclusive wherein the clip A is held in operative position by means of acombined clamping and wedge element C In this construction, the clipelement A is preferably divided into complemental members 16 and 17,having at their inner edges the hooks 18 and 19 respectively forengaging for example with the structural member m, while their oppositeedges are formed with the matching knuckle elements 20, 20 and 21respectively, resembling the matching knuckles of a hinge. hen inassembled relation, the knuckle portions 20 and 20 of the member 16 willaline with the single intermediate part 21 of the member 17 to provide acontinuous wedge receiving opening 2 as shown in Figure 8, and when thusproperly positioned with reference to each other, the combined clampingand locking wedge element C may be inserted in position.

Upon reference to Figure 10 of the drawings, it will be observed thatthe wedge element C is provided with an abutment foot 22, and a cut awaytapering edge portion 23 which provides a clamping edge 24 for engagingwith one of the structural members 2, while the clip engaging edge 25 atthe opposite side is adapted to slidably engage in the opening formed bythe matching of the knuckles 20, 20 and 21. hen the locking wedge C isdriven into position, it maintains the members 16 and 17 in assembledrelation, and by reason of the taper of the members along the knuckleedges thereof, the said wedge will effectively force the members of theclamp outwardly resulting in securing clamping together the parts a: andy.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings it isbelieved that the manner of applying the present clamp will be apparent,and it is also believed that it will be readily understood by thoseskilled in the 'art that all forms of the clamp are capable of simpleand facile application and adjustment. And, while several forms of theinvention are shown and described in the present description anddrawings, it will of course be understood that other changes in theform, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of theappended claims.

I claim:

1. A clamp of the class described includplate thereby causing thecontraction of the hook portions of the clip.

2. A clamping device including in combination with the members to bejoined, a bifurcated clip having oppositely arranged hook portionsadapted to engage with one of said members, a clamping plate, and meansfor causing the said clip and clamping plate to be shifted in oppositedirections to force.

the parts to be joined rigidly together.

3. A clamping device including in combination with the members to bejoined, a

bifurcated clip having relatively contracto receive a portion of theclip, and means engaging the clip and having an abutting engagement withthe clamping element for shiftlng the clip and clamping element inopposite directions.

5. A clamping device including in combination with the members to bejoined, a bifurcated clip having relatively contractible means forengaging with one of said members and also having. a shank portion, aclamping element having an opening for receiving the shank of the clip,and means adapted to engage with' the shank of the clip for shifting theclamping plate toward the member engaging end of the clip therebytocause the relatively contractible means of said clip to grasp one ofsaid members.

6. A clamping device including in combination with the members to bejoined, a clip having means for engaging with one of said members andalso having a shank portion, a clamping element having a hearing foot atoneend for engaging with said member engaged by the clip while the topposite end thereof is adapted to engage with the other member of thejoint, said clamping element also having an opening for recelving theshank portion of the clip, and means adjustablyengaging the shankportion of the clip at one side of the clamping element for forcing thesame into position to clamp the members to be joined.

7. A clamping device including in combination with the members to bejoined,a clip having hooks at one end for engaging with one of the saidmembers and having a projecting portion adapted to receive a lockingdevice, a clamping element having an opening for receiving the saidprojecting portion of the clip, and a locking device carried with thesaid clip and engaging with the clamping element thereby to cause thecontraction clip.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

v THOMAS KANE. Witnesses:

C. JLAUTEN. H. E. WHITE.

of the hooks at the end of the

